The Shepherd's Men

Set in the early 1900s, it focuses on the Duke of Oxford and shola, mentor to his son, as they become the first agents in the newly-formed independent intelligence agency, "The Kingsman." The plot pits them against a collection of history's worst tyrants and criminal masterminds who have gathered to plot a war to wipe out millions.

The film's antagonist is Morton, "The Shepherd," who is the founder and leader of an elite flock of agents that started the Great War in order to destroy the monarchies of Europe. Morton had a great disdain for the monarchies and aristocracies of Europe and planned to destroy all of the dynasties. In order to accomplish his goals, he assembled a cabal of elite agents. Morton planned to start a large-scale war that would kill millions causing the common people to disdain royalty.

Members of the flock wore rings engraved with images of animals as a symbol of membership. The ring contained a cyanide suicide capsule that the members were expected to take if they betrayed the group’s leader.

It may be that this cinematic plotline echoes the ancient conspiratorial syndicate which has led to the coordinated downfall of the Moorish nobility that once ruled throughout Europe prior to the 15th century. An intriguing point of irony posits itself into the very heart of the trilogy surrounding the very name of the films. Part of Britain's national mythology are legends that tell the story of the mighty King Arthur who brought order to a troubled land. According to medieval histories and romances, he led the defense of Britain against anglo-invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. But the name "Kingsman" is being used as an emblematic motif for the heirs of those anglo-invaders who invaded Moorish dominions, stealing land, riches and their title of nobilities in order to ennoble themselves from their state of destitution.

The code name “Kingsman” is indeed taken from the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. However, what most people do not realize is that occult circles attribute an esoteric meaning to the King Arthur story, as its symbolism reflects their secret societies and fraternal brotherhoods.

Manly P. Hall in his "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" writes that: “In the personality of Arthur is to be found a new form of the ever-recurrent cosmic myth. The prince of Britain is the sun, his knights are the zodiac, and his flashing sword may be the sun’s ray with which he fights and vanquishes the dragons of darkness or it may represent the earth’s axis. Arthur’s Round Table is the universe; the Siege Perilous the throne of the perfect man. In its terrestrial sense, Arthur was the Grand Master of a secret Christian-Masonic brotherhood of philosophic mystics who termed themselves Knights. Arthur received the exalted position of Grand Master of these Knights because he had faithfully accomplished the withdrawal of the sword (spirit) from the anvil of the base metals (his lower nature). As invariably happens, the historical Arthur soon was confused with the allegories and myths of his order until now the two are inseparable. After Arthur’s death on the field of Kamblan his Mysteries ceased, and esoterically he was borne away on a black barge, as is so beautifully described by Tennyson in his Morte d’Arthur. The great sword Excalibur was also cast back into the waters of eternity – all of which is a vivid portrayal of the descent of cosmic night at the end of the Day of Universal Manifestation. The body of the historical Arthur was probably interred at Glastonbury Abbey, a building closely identified with the mystic rites of both the Grail and the Arthurian Cycle. The mediæval Rosicrucians were undoubtedly in possession of the true secret of the Arthurian Cycle and the Grail legend, much of their symbolism having been incorporated into that order.”

In Kingsman, the leader is of course named Arthur, who is the Duke of Oxford (Orlando Oxford), and Conrad, his son, aspires to become the King's Lancelot. "Shola," who was quartermaster (Technical Expert) is Merlin, Polly is Galahad, the U.S. Ambassador is Bedivere, and King George V is Percival. Also of note, Shola, who is called "The Gentleman" presents a most symbolic archetype.

The word "Gentleman" is etymologically traced back to Middle English (in the sense ‘man of noble birth’): from gentle1 + man, translating Old French gentilz hom. In later use the term denoted a man of a good family (especially one entitled to a coat of arms) but not of the nobility. The English word from the beginning also had a special sense "nobleman whose behavior conforms to the ideals of chivalry and Christianity," and gentleman came to be used loosely for any man of good breeding, courtesy, kindness, honor, strict regard for the feelings of others, etc.

In the original film, agent Galahad, Eggy’s mentor, explains the origins of Kingsman, a story that directly refers to elite bloodlines. At first, he states that Kingsman began as tailors for the elite. He tells us that: “Since 1849, Kingsman tailors have clothed the world’s most powerful individuals.”

Perhaps Kingsman tailors is a subtle representation of "The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors" of the City of London. The Company, originally known as the "Guild and Fraternity of St John the Baptist," was founded prior to 1300, first incorporated under a Royal Charter in 1327, confirmed by later charters in 1408, 1503 and 1719. Its seat is the "Merchant Taylors' Hall" between Threadneedle Street and Cornhill, a site it has occupied since at least 1347. The Company's motto is Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt, from the Roman historian Sallust meaning "In Harmony Small Things Grow."

Extracted from Croniques de London, early 1300s, 'History of the Merchant Taylors' Company,' we read the following: "Initially, the Tailors were neither prominent nor wealthy. Most tailors produced small garments with slim profit margins. As a result, the Tailors didn't provide any mayors until 1498, when Sir John Percyvale became the first tailor Mayor of London.

However, from the 14th-century onwards, the Company was quietly prospering. It persuaded many noblemen, some noblewomen and several Kings of England to enter its ranks as honorary freemen. These men and women were not tailors, but members of the religious fraternity, sharing in its spiritual benefits and occasionally in its ceremonies. This greatly increased the status of the Tailors' Company. By 1413 the Company was able to build almshouses for seven poor members and their wives on a site near the Hall, the earliest of such social housing in London."

Galahad then explains how from tailors, Kingsman became a powerful actor on the international scene. We are told that: “By 1919, a great number of powerful individuals had lost their heirs to World War One. That meant a lot of money going uninherited. And a lot of powerful men with a desire to preserve peace and protect life. Our founders realized that they could channel that wealth and influence for the greater good. And so began our other venture: An independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, above the politics and bureaucracy that undermine the integrity of government-run organizations.”

It is interesting that the Duke of Oxford gives a confession to his son Conrad regarding their familial legacy and the crimes against humanity that were committed in order to attain their status of nobility and house. Orlando Oxford says to his son: "You know, Conrad, our ancestors, they were terrible people. They robbed, lied, pillaged, and killed, until one day, they found themselves noblemen. But that nobility, it never came from chivalry. It came from being tough and ruthless. Back then, to be called a "gentleman" would have been a death sentence. Not the mark of honor it is today. We are Oxfords, not rogues."

Oxford continues his admission of recounting their rise from savagery into nobility. Oxford says: "When I was young, like you, I wanted to serve my country. But soon I began to question what right we had to take the land, riches, and the lives of people who were only defending their homeland."

The film depicts the genocide of Moors and Arabs. The film shows Oxford reflecting on receiving the "Victoria Cross," the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Wikipedia states that: "A total of 1,358 Victoria Crosses have been awarded since 1856 to 1,355 men. There are several statistics related to the greatest number of VCs awarded in individual battles or wars. The greatest number of Victoria Crosses awarded for a single day was 24 for deeds performed during the Indian Mutiny on 16 November 1857, 23 for deeds at Lucknow."

Conceivably, it is not far-fetched to suggest the Moorish genocide being depicted could possibly be a cinematic reenactment of the 93rd Highlanders storming "Sikandar Bagh." In the city of Lucknow, Oudh, Uttar Pradesh, India; we find "Sikandar Bagh," formerly known by the British as "Sikunder"("Sikandra"/"Secundra Bagh"), a villa and garden enclosed by a fortified wall, with loopholes, gateway and corner bastions.

It was stormed by the British during the "Indian Rebellion of 1857" and witnessed within its walls the slaughter of all 2,200 sepoy mutineers who had made it a stronghold during their "Siege of Lucknow." The site now houses the National Botanical Research Institute of India. It should be noted that "The Indian Rebellion of 1857" was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown.

The cinematic reenactment of the "Indian Rebellion of 1857" I believe is symbolic of the generational incursions and wars that have engulfed Moorish populations as Merchant Guilds and Tradesmen has secretly sought out the seizure and supplantation of Moorish dominions and resources as stated in the papal bull "Dum Diversas of 1452" by Pope Nicholas V. It authorized Afonso V of Portugal to conquer Saracens and pagans and consign them to "perpetual servitude". As it states: "We grant you by these present documents, with our Apostolic Authority, full and free permission to invade, search out, capture, and subjugate the Saracens and pagans and any other unbelievers and enemies of Christ wherever they may be, as well as their kingdoms, duchies, counties, principalities, and other property [...] and to reduce their persons into perpetual servitude."

It is worth bearing in mind that the ideals of chivalric honour and crusading were seen as the path for ambition and success in the 15th century. During the reign of Afonso V, the Portuguese nobility enjoyed great influence and prestige, and for several decades, the House of Braganza was the wealthiest and most influential force in the kingdom. In 1415, the wisdom and the justice of an attack on Morocco had to be seriously weighed, but during the reign of Afonso V and for the century afterward, "such enterprises were accepted as self-justifying crusades for religion, chivalry, and honor".

The raids and attacks of the "Reconquista" created captives on both sides, who were either "ransomed or sold as slaves." The Portuguese crown extended this practice to North Africa. After the attack on Ceuta, the king sought 'papal recognition' of it as a crusade. Similarly, after the 1441 attack on Mauretania, the crown again sought after the fact, papal acknowledgement that it was part of a just conflict. Such a determination would then indicate that those captured could legitimately be sold as slaves. This eventually led to the conquest of the Americas, the Land of the Moors (Terra de Moros).

At this point, I would like to refer to "All the King's Men," a 1946 novel by Robert Penn Warren which tells the story of charismatic populist governor Willie Stark and his political machinations in the Depression-era Deep South. From the novel, we have extracted the following reference which I believe grasps the spirit of colonial imperialism and the lust for power. Robert Penn Warren writes:

“For West is where we all plan to go some day. It is where you go when the land gives out and the old-field pines encroach. It is where you go when you get the letter saying: Flee, all is discovered. It is where you go when you look down at the blade in your hand and the blood on it. It is where you go when you are told that you are a bubble on the tide of empire. It is where you go when you hear that thar's gold in them-thar hills. It is where you go to grow up with the country. It is where you go to spend your old age. Or it is just where you go.”

Let us further reference the words of Robert Penn Warren, who again in his "All the King's Men," says: “The end of man is knowledge, but there is one thing he can't know. He can't know whether knowledge will save him or kill him. He will be killed, all right, but he can't know whether he is killed because of the knowledge which he has got or because of the knowledge which he hasn't got and which if he had it, would save him.”

The "Kingsman" film in my opinion is a symbolic representation of the conquest of the Moors of the West (America). And the words of Robert Penn Warren should be heeded with utmost importance; as Hosea 4:6 tell us that: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.."

As we close out this examination, I will leave with a final quotation taken from Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin otherwise known as "The Tortoise," who is one of the antagonists in the film The King's Man. He is a mystic Russian monk and the closest adviser of Tsar Nicholas II who keeps the entire Romanov family under his control with a combination of fake "miracles" and opium, and a leading member of the Flock. In the film, Rasputin says: "As everybody knows, The tortoise eventually wins the race."

The story of the "Tortoise and the Hare" is very well known. Competing in a race, it was generally held that the hare would win, and yet the tortoise had a surprising victory. While the tortoise was clearly outclassed in speed by the Hare, the tortoise focused on the finish line by simple steady progression and plodding as he made consistent motion forward, ultimately winning the race. The lessons of this story can be applied to many things in life, but is especially true in comparative analysis our the "Moorish Phlight."

The "Tortoise" being an emblem for America, as it has been long been equated with "Turtle Island" or the archetypal motif of the "World-Turtle," also represents the holy "Mount Meru." The film gives further symbolic representation in a science in which we see Oxford admiring an exquisite crimson cashmere scarf.

We learn that it was pure cashmere made from the only place in the world where the "Kamaliro goat" breeds, atop of a tepui-like pinnacle.

This table-top mountain eerily resembles those found in the Guiana Highlands of South America. The word tepui means "house of the gods" in the native tongue of the Pemon, the indigenous people who inhabit the Gran Sabana.

The mountain home of the "kamaliro goat" is the symbolic depiction of "Mount Meru," from which the terms, 'Amaru,' 'Amurru,' and 'Maru,' are all derived.

It is the allegorical depiction of America (Mount Meru) in which the Holy Crusades and savage incursions plagued its sacred soil.

In fact, it is suggestive of the origins of the "Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors" as history tells us that the Crusades led to exploration by Europeans in that they encouraged the development of trade between East and West. On their travels, Crusaders became acquainted with goods such as fine silks and spices that were unavailable at home. And as Europeans wanted more of these goods, this led to increased trade between Europe and the East; and eventually more Christian incursions upon Moorish dominions. And so after the fall of Granda, the conquest of America began.